Frank Field, the MP who came up with the idea of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, an initiative to preserve forests in Commonwealth countries, said: “I think it is a rather good idea. If she is not going to get it on that record — given the special nature of the Commonwealth, which could be such a force for peaceful change — then who would?”

Ideas around the creation of share-bloc-owning foundations with the role of protecting those different interests, and the power to block takeovers, should be looked at urgently. The work and pensions select committee will begin this exercise from the angle of pensioners.

Birkenhead’s MP Frank Field is fighting to save the jobs of 98 people on fixed-term contracts at the benefits office in Hordan House, who have reportedly been told by their bosses that they will be out of work in a year’s time.

More than 440,000 people have languished beyond 18 weeks waiting for vital surgery in breach of government targets, figures reveal. The NHS says all patients have the right to start treatment within 18 weeks of a GP referral.